Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
TOBACCO farming has become a lucrative venture for many farmers, with many utilising the production of the golden leaf as a springboard to expand their business portfolios.
The 2025 tobacco marketing season is proving to be one of the most transformative in recent years, with farmers across the country recording strong earnings and using the proceeds to diversify their economic activities.
With over 316.8 million kilogrammes of tobacco sold and more than US$1.06 billion generated in revenue, the golden leaf continues to underpin rural economic development and remains Zimbabwe’s leading agricultural export.
Among the many success stories is 47-year-old Prince Chipenda, a Mvurwi-based tobacco grower who has not only expanded his farming operations but also ventured into small-scale commerce.
“I am a diversified farmer. I started farming in 2010, and things were slow as I grew maize, but on a small scale. I decided to venture into tobacco in 2016, that’s when I realised it is transformative. I sold my crop and managed to buy an 80-horsepower tractor, the second year I bought a plough, boom spray and planter, so I saw that it pays until today,” he said.
He has since established a butchery and bar, employing 11 people, a development that is providing much-needed jobs in the area.
For A1 farmer, Weedman Katanha, the journey with tobacco farming has not been without setbacks, yet perseverance has paid off.
“I began producing tobacco in 2004, and it has been full of ups and downs. In 2018, I stopped tobacco farming after losing all my crops to hailstorms. Last year, Boost contracted me, they gave me inputs for half a hectare, but I added my own inputs. That crop was just amazing,” he said.
Female farmers, too, are making gains. Ms Enica Chimhondoro, who grows tobacco with her children, highlighted the broader household benefits derived from tobacco farming.
“We are getting benefits from tobacco farming, and we are progressing through the golden leaf. We work with our children, and they are also reaping the rewards,” she said.
The record sales and earnings for the 2025 season highlight the continued importance of tobacco in Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy.
As more farmers move from subsistence to commercial production, tobacco farming is becoming a vital tool for poverty reduction, employment creation, and rural development.
Government and private sector stakeholders continue to encourage value addition and diversification within the sector to sustain the momentum and cushion farmers against future climate-related shocks.
